Device for preventing retrograde movement of vehicles



J. L. GONARD Oct. 21, 1930.

DEVICE FOR PREVENTING RETROGRADE MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES .2 Sheets-Shet 1Filed May 29, 1928 i N VEN TOR.

J. L. GONARD 1,778,799

DEVICE FOR PREVENTING RETROGRADE MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES Oct. 21, 1930.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Filed May 29, 1928 Patented Oct. 21, 1930 PATENT woman column, ormonawoon onus, new many I Damon roa ranvnnrma narnoomn movnunnr or iApplication filed m 29,

This invention relates'to a device for preventing retrograde movement ofmotor 'vehicles. 1

An object of the invention is the provis1on of a device which willautomatically lock the running gear ofan automobile to prevent backwardmovement of the automobile when the same has been stopped on an inclinedroadbed. I A further "-object'of the invention is the provision of adevice which will prevent retrograde movement of e an automobile whilelocking thedriving elements connected with the rear wheels againstreverse motion for permitting the automobile to be reversed under thepower of an engine.

A further object. of the invent on is the provision of a device whichwill prevent retrograde movement of an automobile when said automobileis on an incline and when the clutch has been thrown out, but i whichwill automatically release the locking means when the reversing gear hasbeen thrown into operation, the clutching mechan automobile when theclutch and brake pedals have been released,so that the automobile may bereadily started for forward movement without any danger of stalling" theengine. a

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a rockablemeans cooperating with friction elements for looking a drive shaft of avehicle against reverse rotation with means connected to the shiftinglever of the vehicle and movable transversely from the rockable meansoperatively connected therewith, for causing actuation of the rockablemeans to release the friction elements and permit rearward motion of thevehicle under its own power.

- This invention will be bestunderstood from a consideration of thefollowing detailed description in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, nevertheless, it'is to be understood that the invention is notcon fined to the disclosure, being susceptible of such changes andmodifications as shall (16-, I fine no material departure from thesalient of a device for preventing reverse rotation clutch members.

'ing's' 10 7 desi provided wit a gear shifting lever 11 whic "is of theusual type for shifting the gears anism preventing retrograde movementof in the transmission 10, and which is coupled "provided a notch 20 inthe peda ber 21. pivotedat 22 on 1028. Serial m 1,55%. 1

features of the invention as expressed in the ap ended claims.

nthe drawings v v Figure 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal side view of aportion of the driving ele- .55 ment of the automobile, showingmyinvention applied thereto,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the drive shaft, H a

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken along the line 3-3'of Fig. 2, f

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken along the lined-4 ofFig. 3,

Figure 5-is asection taken along the line Figure 6 is a fragmenta viewinelevatlon of the device for loc 'ng the clutch pedal in operativeposition forreleasing the Referring more particularly to thedrawatesthe: transmission casin with my improved device for preventingretrograde movement of a vehicle. Y An engine" shaft 12 is connected bymeans of the transmission 10 with the drive shaft 13 of the vehicle. Themovable clutch element 14 00- operates with a fixed clutch element 15for connecting the shaft 12 with the engine shaft. The clutch pedal 16hingedly mounted at 17,

has a fork 18 engagingthe ring -19 for actuating the movable clutchmember '14 against the tension of the spring for causing the clutchmember 14'to be moved out of enga ement with the member 15. Theclutch'pea1, as shown in Fig. 1, extends through and above the floor board 19. vI have rovided a device for locking the clutch lpe 9.116 in apredetermined. posltion for malntaining the movable clutch element 14out of engagement withthe fixed clutch element 15 for a purpose whichwillbe resentl 'ex lained. For this ur ose I ave y p P 16 which is by aswingable memthe .foot board 23 of the whole. A link'24 is pivotallyconnected adapted to be engaged lOJ to ears secured to one face of thelooking or hinged lever 21. An actuatlng member 26 is slidably mountedin the member 23 and is provided with a handle 27 adapted to be graspedfor reciprocating the rod 26 and for actuating the link 24 and likewisethe lever 21. A fulcrum 28 is secured to the member 23 and is engaged'bythe link 24 so that when the rod 26 1s moved inwardly towards thedrivers seat, the hinged lever 21 will be elevated out ofengagement withthe clutch 20 and the pedal 16, thereby releasing the pedal andpermitting theusual sprin (not shown) to force the movable clutch eement 14 into engagement with the fixed clutch ele-- ment 15.

The casing 30 is secured to the rear end of the transmission casing 10and embraces the i drive shaft 13. An end plate 31 closes the casing. Adisc 32 is keye at 33 to the drive shaft 13 and is provided withtransverse pockets 34 at the periphery thereof to receive rollers orballs 35. These pockets having1 a greater width than the diameter of thero ers or balls will permit the limited movement of these frictionelements.

A sleeve 36 embraces the rotatable member 32 and has a cut out portion37adjacent each pocket with the bottom of the cut out portion or recessbeing inclined at an angle to a tangent assing through a radius at thisoint. The inc ined walls 38 of each pocket orms the outer end of thepocket 34. It will also be noted that the recesses 37 are wider than thewidth of the pockets 34 so that when the sleeve 36 is rocked in onedirection, one end of the recess 37 will be moved nearer to the centerof the pocket 34 and thereby restrict the space between the bottom 39 ofa pocket 34 and the wall 38 of a recess 37, so that the friction element35 will be jammed between the surfaces 38 and 39 and prevent reverserotation of the member 32. When the sleeve 36 is rocked in the directionwhich is opposite to the previous direction of movement of the sleeve,the opposite end of the recess 37 will moved nearer to the center of thepocket 34 and thereby provide a greater space between the surfaces 38and 39 so that the friction ele ments 35 cannot be jammed into brakingrelation with said surfaces and prevent rotation of the member 32andlikewise the shaft 13.

(The rod 40 is slidabl mounted in the transmiss on casing 10 an isconnected with the sh1ft1ng lever 11 so that with certain movements ofthe shifting lever, the rod 40 will be shifted for a urpose which willbe presently explained. his rod is-provided with a pin 51 pro ectingradially therefrom, and re ceived within a cam groove 52. The portion ofthe rooye ind cated at 53 extends along a stra1 t hue and includes thegreater portion 0' thgfroeve. One end of the groove, as shown at isoilset. The straight portion 53 08 when engaged by the pin 52 moves thesleeve 36 to such position that a restriction between the surfaces 38and 39 in the pockets 34 is provided for so that when the automobile ison an inclined road bed, and the vehicle tends to reversely operate theshaft 13, the friction elements 35 will be jammed in frictional relationbetween the members 32 and 36 and prevent retrograde motion of thevehicle. This condition of restraint upon the drive shaft inparticularly for the begmner or for those who have difliculty instarting the vehicle on an upgrade when the engine has been stopped orhas become stalled. In this case it is only necessary to operate theclutch pedal to shift the gears for low speed. When the clutch edalls'released the engine operates the rive shaft and likewise the rearwheels for moving the vehicle forwardly. No attention need be given tothe brakes since the device automatically brakes the vehicle againstretrograde movement. v v

' The operation of-my device is as follows: Whenever the shifting leverhas been moved into position or into first,second, or third speeds, thein 51 will be located in the portion 53 of tlie slot 52, whereby thesleeve 36 will be rocked to such a position that the space between thesurfaces 38 and 39 of the pockets 34 will be at the greatest restrictionso that if the vehicle to which the device has been applied is locatedupon an inclined surface,

the friction elements 35 will be jammed be tween the surfaces 38 and 39and thereby lock the rotatable member 32 to the sleeve 36 which has arelatively fixed position withrespect to the rotatable member 32 andthereby prevent retrograde motion of the vehicle.

When it is desired to reverse the vehicle under its own power, it isnecessary to employ some means to prevent the friction elements fromacting as a brake to prevent retrograde motion of the drive shaft. A rod40 is so coupled up with the shifting lever 11 that when said lever ismoved to reverse position the pin 51 will be in the curved portion 54 ofthe slot 52 in the sleeve 36, whereby the sleeve will have been rockedto a position where the greatest space is provided between the surfaces38' and 39 of the pockets 34, so that the friction elements 35 cannot bejammed into frictional englagement between the inclined faces 38 and t ecurved faces 39 of the pockets 34. At this time it is possible toreverse the automobile under its own power.

Since the sleeve 36 will always be in position to prevent retrogrademovement of the vehicle when the shiftin lever is in either neutral,first, second, or t ird speeds, the vehicle can not be moved rearwardlymanually with-' out setting in motion the entire driving mechanismof thevehicle. In view of this, I have provided the pivoted lever or dog 21which is adapted to engage the notch 20 1n the clutch edal 16 forretaining the clutch pedalin'an inoperative position and for maintainingthe clutch member 14 out of engagement with the clutch member 15. Bythis means the engine is disconnected from the drive shaft and it ispossible to move the machine back reanwardly and manually withoutactuating the engine, which actuation normally tends to resist movementof the car due to the resistance of the cylinders when they areoperating under compression.

I claim 1. A. device for preventing retrograde movement of a vehiclecomprising a rotatable member, a plurality of friction elements can riedby the rotatable member, a rockable sleeve embracing the rotatablemember and provided with surfaces for wedging the friction elementsagainst the rotatable member when the rotatable member is revolved inone direction, said sleeve having a transverse cam oove, means formoving the sleeve for reeasing the friction elements and including areciprocating the rod is reciprocated the sleeve will be rocked torelease the friction elements.

2. A device for preventing retrograde movement of a vehicle comprising arotatable member, a plurality of friction elements carried by therotatable member, a rockable sleeve embracing the rotatable member andtion elements against the rotatable member when the rotatable member isrevolved in one direction, means for rocking the sleeve and for movingthe wedging surfaces of the sleeve to an inoperatiye position, andincluding a reciprocating means and cooperating mean: on thereciprocating means on the sleeve so that when the said reciprocating'means is actuated the sleeve will be rocked.

4. A device for movement of a vehic e com rising a rotatable member, aplurality of riction elements carried by the rotatable member, arockable sleeve embracing the rotatable member and provided with.surfaces for wedging the friction elements a ainst the rotatable memberwhen said mem er is revolved in one direc-,

tion, said sleeve having a transverse groove, a reciprocating rod, a pincarried by the rod and received by the groove for retaining the sleeve aainst movement and for maintaining the sur aces of the sleeve in wedgingaction rod, a pin secured to the rod and located 1n the cam groove sothat when reventing retrograde with the friction elements, said oovehaving an offset portion to receive t e pin and rock the sleeve formoving the wedging surfaces in inoperative position.

5. A device for reventing retrograde 'movement of a vehic e comprising arotatable member provided with pockets, friction elements free to movein the pockets, a sleeve embracing the rotatable member and having asurface adjacent'eachpocket for wedging a friction element in a pocketbetween the rotatable member and the surfaces of the sleeve, said sleevehaving a transverse groove provided with an offset portion, a rodmounted for reciprocation and provided with a pin received by the grooveand adapted to be shifted for rockin the sleeve when the pin is movedinto the o set portion, whilecausing thewedging surfaces of the sleeveto be moved to an inoperative position.

6. A device for preventing retrograde movement of a vehicle comprising arotatable member provided with-pockets, friction elements free to movein the pockets, a sleeve embracing the rotatable member and having a.surface adjacent each pocket for wedging a friction element in a ocketbetween the rotatable member and the surfaces of the sleeve, said sleevehaving a transverse groove provided with an offset (portion, a rodmounted for reciprocation an provided with a pin received by the grooveand adapted to be shifted for rocking the sleeve'when the pin is-movedinto the offset portion, while causing the wedging surfaces of thesleeve to be moved to an inoperative position, said pin and, rod beingadapted to normally maintain the sleeve against movement.

7. A device for preventing retrograde movement of a vehicle comprising arotatable member provided with pockets, friction elements free to movein the ockets, a sleeve embracin the rotatable mem rand havinga surfacea jacent each pocket for wed g a.

friction element in a pocket between t e rotatable member and thesurfaces of the sleeve, said sleeve havin vided with an 0 set ortion, arod mounted reciprocation an provided with a pin revived by the grooveand adapted to shifted for rocking the sleeve when the pm is moved intothe offset portion, while causing the wedging surfaces of the sleeve tobe moved to an inoperative position, when the pin is moved from theoffset portion of the oove to the remaining portion, said'sleeve is heldagainst rocking movement and the wedging surfaces of said sleeve areplaced in an operative position with respect to the friction elements.

8. A device for reventing retrograde movement of a vehic e comprising atransmission, a shifting lever operatively co nected with thetransmission, a rod rotatably mounted and operatively connected with theait;

a transverse groove pro- I able member in one direction,meansconshifting lever, a rotatable member, a 'plurality of frictionelements'carried by the rotatable member, a rockable sleeve embracingthe rotatable member and provided with surfaces which normally wedge thefriction elements-against the rotatable member when said member isrevolved in one direction to prevent rotationof the member in thatdirection, said sleeve having a transverse cam ove, mg rod and receivedwithin the groove, so

that when the rod is reciprocated by the shiftlever, the sleeve will berocked in one 1n po ition of the lever for moving the wedging surfacesin an inoperative spect'to the friction elements; 9., In a vehicle, ashaft, means for revolving the shaft, a clutch connecting the revolvingmeans with the shaft, a pedal for aetnating theclutch to an inoperativeposition, and

means for: locking the pedal against move.-

ment when the pedal has moved the clutch to I an inoperative position,and means for releasthe'locking means. I

%0. ,In a veh cle, a shaft, means for -revolv-- the shaft, a clutchconnecting the revolv- 1 ing means with the shaft, a pedal foractuatclutch to an inoperative position,

ing

ing'the meansrfor locking the pedal againstmovement when the pedal hasmoved the clutch I I {2 an moperative position, a rotatable memrblemembtar with the shaft, a shifting. lever,

for the,transmission,a brakingmeans for a transmission for connectingtherotatanormally preventing rotation of the rotatnected with theshifting lever for'releasing the braking means when the shifting leverhas been moved to aposition Where the driving means for the shaft willcause retrograde motion of the vehicle.

JOHN L. GONARD.

a pin connecte'd with the reciprocatposition with re-

